AN honest burglar was jailed after he told police he stole more than twice as much as his victims claimed.

Dean Williams, 29, said he took up to £8,000 in pay packets in a raid on offices in Middlesbrough, but the firm said it was less than £3,000.

Williams’ lawyer Peter Wishlade said it just went to show he was being honest when he was arrested after being spotted on CCTV.

Prosecutor Jacqueline Edwards said: “He said he had counted £3,000 and became bored, and he still had a large wedge of cash left... between £6,000 and £8,000.”

When he appeared before Teesside Crown Court on Friday he pleaded guilty to the figure of £2,985, as claimed by JAD Estates as stolen from their offices in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, on June 29.

Williams found the money in desk drawers and he also took two laptops and phones.

There were three CCTV cameras outside the offices and Williams was arrested five days later, still in possession of a stolen phone and headset.

Miss Edwards added: “He said that he was on the mooch. He said the keys were in the shutter and the rear door and he kicked open an integral door, heard the alarm going off and he went into every room and removed various items of property.”

Williams, of Bruce Avenue, Middlesbrough, was jailed for eight months after he pleaded guilty to the burglary and asked for a burglary at pawnbrokers Ramsdens in Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, to be taken into account.